Apprenticeship

The goal of our apprentice program is to provide the highest level of training and industry knowledge to our apprentices in effort to produce the most knowledgeable and skilled Insulation craft people in the industry.  Upon graduation from our program, apprentices will be able to assume positions as fully qualified journeymen ready to meet all the challenges in our industry as qualified professional insulation craft men and women.  

This program is for entry level workers, as well as workers employed in the industry that would like to upgrade their skills to become fully qualified journeymen, while enjoying the benefits of membership in the Heat and Frost Insulators and Allied Workers.  

The apprenticeship combines computer based learning, classroom learning, hands-on classroom training and on the job training to produce a craft worker that is well rounded in all aspects of our trade.  In addition to trade specific training all apprentices receive safety training and CPR.  

As an apprentice you will work for one of our signatory contractors in the field side by side with qualified journeymen who understand the practical application and theory of the insulation industry.  While working for one of these contractors you will be paid in accordance with our collectively bargained apprentice scale

As a first year apprentice you will be paid 50% of the full journeymen scale, second year pay increases to 60%, third year pay is 70% and fourth year apprentices earn 80% of the journeyman scale.  First and second year apprentices have full Welfare (healthcare) and Pension benefits paid on their behalf.  Third and fourth year apprentices receive Welfare, Pension and Annuity benefits.   The pay and benefits are paid for hours worked for these signatory contractors while you are completing the on the job training.

In addition to the on the job hands-on training you will be required to attend a minimum of 144 hours of classroom training.  Apprentices are expected to complete computer based reading on their own time outside of class.  The classroom training includes instruction from our qualified instructors, computer based testing (on your reading assignments), and hands on projects to be completed in class.  

Apprentices are required to complete 2000 hours of on the job training before advancing to the next level of apprenticeship.

Applications can be submitted online OR are accepted in-person from 8:00 a.m. until 4:00 pm at the Local #30 Union office which is located at 107 Twin Oaks Drive Syracuse, NY 13206. 

Qualifications to apply are:

  • Must be at least 18 years old.
  • Must have a high school diploma or a high school equivalency diploma (such as TASC or GED). Proof will be required after selection and prior to indenture.
  • Must be physically able to do the work of an insulation and asbestos worker, as determined by a medical exam and a drug screening, at the expense of the sponsor, after selection and prior to indenture.
  • Must reside within the jurisdiction of Local #30 for at least one year prior to recruitment. This includes the counties of Cortland, Broome, Cayuga, Chemung, Chenango, Herkimer, Jefferson, Lewis, Madison, Tioga, Oneida, Onondaga, Oswego, Otsego, Schuyler, Seneca, Tompkins, and St. Lawrence.
  • Must provide military transfer or discharge form DD-214, if applicable, after selection and prior to indenture
  • Due to the large area our jurisdiction covers you must have reliable transportation.